Proposals estimated at over US$25 billion could transform an area east of Edmonton into a refinery hub that rivals those along the Gulf Coast of Texas. 4 massive new private-sector oil-processing complexes are set to be built in a 330 sq km hub that will serve as a conduit for soaring oilsands production. A major add-on to an existing refinery-upgrading-petrochemical complex owned by Shell Canada Ltd. is underway. 2 other proposals underway are one from the Alberta government, the other by Total SA. The four projects plus Shell's will pump US$25 billion worth of industrial development into the region during the next 5-7 years, while the two other proposals are estimated to pump in US$17 billion.
The Industrial Heartland Association comprises of the counties of Lamont, Strathcona and Sturgeon, the city of Fort Saskatchewan and 40 corporate giants from the petroleum and petrochemical industries. It was formed in 1999 to market the region internationally and promote growth beyond an existing chemical and refinery row.
The area is already home to such petrochemical and fertilizer giants as Dow Canada Inc., Nova Corp. and Agrium Inc., plus refineries operated by Petro-Canada, Imperial Oil Resources Ltd., and Shell Canada.
13-Mar-06 
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